But if Wayne Rooney remains Wenger’s dream signing, expect Fellaini to join David Moyes at Old Trafford

According to the Manchester Evening News today, David Moyes has been given “the green light” by his old club to trigger Fellaini’s £23m release clause, allowing the Belgian to join him at Old Trafford. But Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has warned Moyes that he can’t have Leighton Baines or any other players currently at Goodison Park.

Kenwright said: “I’ve said to David, ‘We all know the situation at Everton. We all know there’s a player who’s got an escape clause, but the others are not for sale. Roberto [Martinez, Moyes’s replacement as Everton manager] doesn’t want them to go and they don’t want to go.”

The Manchester Evening News claims Fellaini is happy to stay at Everton, too, “but the Belgian international’s departure could provide Martinez with the funds to spend in the transfer market”.

But hang on a second – what about Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s long-held ambition to sign Fellaini? Goal.com claims the Gunners – now free to spend big, according to chief executive Ivan Gazidis - have made a club-record £22m bid for Fellaini (the release clause is slightly less for a top four club). The bid apparently went in on Wednesday, the day Martinez was officially appointed Everton manager.

“The Gunners have activated the release clause in the Everton midfielder's contract and are confident of wrapping up a deal for the 25-year-old in the coming weeks,” says Goal.com.

So who’s got it right? The Daily Mail insists Wenger’s “dream signing” remains Wayne Rooney. If that dream comes through in the coming days, Moyes looks most likely to secure the 25-year-old Belgian.